HELP – MY NAME IS TODD AND I’M A REMODEL-IT-AHOLIC

HOME REMODELING – THE HIDDEN DISEASE

I have had many clients that have been afflicted by remodel-it-ism and have become remodel-it-aholics.

By definition, a remodel-it-aholic is

a homeowner with an overwhelming desire to further remodel their home after recently completing a home improvement project when the new work makes other parts of their home look bad by comparison.

SIGNS YOU ARE A REMODEL-IT-AHOLIC

As soon as you or your home remodeling professional complete a project you realize that the rest of the home needs a facelift too.

For example, you build an addition to your home with new flooring, freshly painted walls, and a bathroom with brand new fixtures. Although from the outside the addition looks like it has always been there, from the inside the rest of your home looks old and tired. What are you going to do?

If you are a remodel-it-aholic

you will begin the process of updating the rest of your home

you will change the flooring or repaint

you will upgrade your kitchen (this is true– one of our client’s hired us three times because with each remodel they found something else they wanted updated)

you will remodel your bathroom

MY PERSONAL DILEMMA

Several weeks ago I told you that I was updating my appliances… including the cooktop, oven, and microwave. As a result, I am now a remodel-it-aholic. Although my refrigerator is in perfect working condition, it just does not fit in with the new appliances.

I can look at it and say, but it holds food, keeps it cold, and functions just fine. But… there is something to be said for how it looks. I will keep you posted if/when we make that change.

BEFORE YOU CHOOSE TO DO A REMODEL

Think about how your change will effect the look of your home. Realize that the newer things may alter how the rest of your home looks. That doesn’t mean you don’t make changes. But… think about how your changes can affect your vision of your home.

If you are changing the floors, do you want to change the doors, their thresholds, the moldings? If you are adding additional cabinets, how are you going to tie the cabinets together? Will you need to resurface the old cabinets, change out all of the hardware, or replace everything?

Making all the cabinet pulls the same may not be so easy. How the new handles get installed may not cover old holes. The old hardware may not easily be removed.

When you do choose to remodel, look for someone with good listening skills who shares your vision for what your home should look like. Feel free to ask for references. Then, before you sign on the dotted line, check with your state to ensure your architect or custom builder is licensed in his or her field.

LOCAL WINDOW COMPANY, BASED IN PALM BEACH GARDENS HAS AN “A” RATING BUT…

Consumers have filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau, the Florida Attorney General’s Office and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the agency charged with regulating and licensing contractors.

This month, DBPR filed an administrative complaint against Scott Berman, the company’s owner, alleging that he violated a provision of a state statute in a contract for an installation at a house in Jupiter’s Abacoa.

The BBB has given the company an “A” rating.

COMPANY CHANGED NAMES AND SHUT DOWN OLD COMPANY

According to the article: in 2009, the Florida Attorney General’s Office shut down… Florida Window, over allegations the business violated state consumer laws. The company paid $118,000 in consumer restitution and $10,000 to Seniors vs. Crime. That same year, [the owner] established Northfield Holding Corp. doing business as Florida Window & Door.

Now, six years later, that company faces a slew of very similar complaints, some of which are being aired via social media. Customers have created a Facebook page, “Florida-Window-and-Door-is-a-Rip-Off.” The page states, “We are here to shed light on the deceptive practices and shoddy work this company performs.” There is also a You Tube video one customer has posted, which describes his experience.

HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOURSELF?

Unfortunately, the Better Business Bureau, which most people see as a watch dog really isn’t. An “A” rating just means that the Better Business Bureau believes that a company will resolve any problems customers encounter.

Do your due diligence. Read consumer complaints on the Better Business Bureau website. Search the company on the internet and on social media. Get and verify references. Talk to past clients.

Today, you have to almost be a detective and verify that a home improvement company is worthy of your business.

Interior Partition Wall Steel Studs VS Wood Studs: Which Is Better?

Often, when I am doing a remodeling job, I am asked why am I using steel studs instead of wood studs. Although the price may be slightly higher, the real costs can be lower – and that is better for you!

Cost of Metal Studs Can Be Lower Than Wood (even though the price is higher per foot)

There are some nuances to this area. Steel framing can cost three to 15 percent more than wood studs, based on Steel Framing Alliance calculations, but metal studs offer cost advantages in other areas that can offset this price difference.

Steel does not shrink, split or warp. As a result, there are no nail pops or drywall cracks to fix after the structure is completed.

Consistent quality means that scrap is drastically reduced (two percent for steel versus 20 percent for wood), which also reduces costs for hauling off and disposing of discarded material.

Most importantly, steel framed walls can be erected faster than wood ones saving on labor costs

Potential Problems with Wooden Studs

With wooden studs, you have to worry about problems like rotting, warping, shrinking, cracking and splitting. Termites, other insects and mold can also quickly destroy wooden studs under the right conditions.

Finding quality lumber to use as studs can also be difficult; it varies widely depending on where the wood is grown. Lumber also has to be sorted carefully and you can’t use any pieces that aren’t straight or have knots, cracks or other imperfections.

As much as 20 percent of the lumber bought for studs ends up wasted, and since wood prices can fluctuate, trying to budget for a construction project is challenging.

Metal Studs Are More Convenient

Metal is lighter than wood. Steel framing is easier to handle because the studs weigh a third less than wood and can be installed at 24 inches on center.

They take up half the space of lumber because of its hollowed shape. This makes for easier transporting and storage.

Metal studs can be cut with aviation snips, which means no sawdust.

They also are attached with screws, so moving studs is simple if you make a mistake.

Metal Studs Are More Stable

Wood is prone to twisting and warping; metal is not so walls are straighter. Wood also wicks moisture, which can lead to mold growth and rot, while metal is immune.

Metal Studs Are The Environmentally Responsible Choice

Metal studs are made from recycled metal – they could have been a car fender in a previous “life”. Once a tree is cut down, it’s gone. It takes years for a new one to grow in its place.

Knowing your what materials are better for your home remodeling projects will add value to your investment. “Cheaper” is not better, you need to know the true costs.

If you are considering a home improvement project or you need some maintenance advice, contact your local certified “roomologist”, Leading Edge Homes. Inc.at 561-795-2551.

HOME REMODELING SHOULDN’T BE SCARY – AND NEITHER SHOULD BUYING A HOME

Don’t get tricked when starting a home improvement project or buying a new home.

Yesterday I told you about the client who called Leading Edge Homes, Inc. to install a tub and we discovered that other work had been done in the bathroom without a permit. The good news is – the problems can be corrected. The bad news is – it will be costly.

This reminds me of a home inspection I did last weekend. Yes, Leading Edge Homes, Inc. also does home inspections – and we do more than check to see if appliances work.

Signs That Work Was Done Without a Permit

Illegal Addition:

The floor in a room is not at the same level as the main house.

A sliding glass door leads to an interior room.

Illegal Bathroom Remodel:

There isn’t a minimum of 15 inches from the center of the toilet to the wall, tub, or cabinet.

Illegal Kitchen Remodel:

If it’s obvious that new cabinets were installed, but the electric was not brought up to date.

How do you know? The receptacles need to be GFI protected, on a 20 amp circuit, and spaced no more than 4 feet on center.

If there is a counter top with more than six inches of overhang, there must be an electric receptacle underneath it.

If you want a professional remodeling experience or a home inspection with a home remodeling expert view, contact your local design-build contractor, Leading Edge Homes. Inc.

BUT HE SAID I DON’T NEED A PERMIT

It happened again. Yesterday, I received a call about installing a tub for a potential client. What I thought was going to be a simple quote to see where the tub was going to be installed, turned out to be like opening a can of worms.

The job entails more than installing the tub… it involves redoing the entire bathroom.

What Went Wrong?

The biggest mistake was that the client believed her contractor that permits did not need to be pulled to make changes to the bathroom. Had a permit been pulled, none of the following issues would have occurred:

The bathroom is too narrow for adding a bidet next to the toilet. According to the plumbing code, a minimum of 60 inches is required from drywall of one side wall to drywall to drywall of other side wall. They only have 57 inches.

The tile was installed before the bathroom door, now the opening is too short for the door.

The door they bought swings the wrong way.

The plumbing waste and supply lines were cut, patched, and brought out of the floor and wall in the wrong locations.

What Has to Happen Now?

This mistake will be costly. Drywall has to be removed, the floor has to be cut up to correct any plumbing violations, the doorway needs to be re-framed, and either a new toilet/bidet all-in-one unit needs to be purchased or the room needs to be made larger to accommodate both a bidet and toilet.

This would not have happened if the client hired a professional remodeling contractor instead of an unlicensed, uninsured “handyman”.

Other Consequences

If the client left everything as is, and went to sell her house, she might have difficulty passing a home inspection. A good inspector would notice that the plumbing was not per code, an appraiser would probably discover that the bath remodeling was done without a permit, and the homeowner could be fined for doing work without a permit.

If you want a professional remodeling experience or a second opinion, contact your local design-build contractor, Leading Edge Homes. Inc.

Home Improvement Contractors Have to Go to the Bathroom Too…

We don’t like to talk about it, but everyone needs to go to the bathroom at some time. But, what happens when you have workmen working on your house?

No… you don’t need to hang toilet paper from your trees if you have workmen at your house.

There are many horror stories such as “workmen have been using my yard as their toilet! I just caught one urinating and told him my yard is not a ‘toilet’.” In another case, I heard about workers asking if they could go behind the garage to go to the bathroom. I can only imagine what else they might be doing in the yard.

Rules and Regulations

These workmen should not be using your yard, garage wall, or anything else other than a toilet! According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Toilet facilities shall be provided and maintained in a sanitary condition during construction. An adequate number of facilities must be provided for the number of employees at the construction site according to the following

1 to 20 workers- 1 toilet21 to 200 workers- 1 for each 40 workersover 200 workers= 1 for each 50 work

The toilet facility can be yours or one provided by your contractor.

Your Bathroom or a Port-A-Potty?

Do you want the workmen to use your facility or a port-a-potty provided by the contractor? Of course that is a personal preference.

You have hired a contractor that you trust. Perhaps you can extend this trust to using your bathroom. But, not everyone is comfortable having strangers use their bathrooms nor do they want to clean up after them.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. doesn’t want to put your privacy at risk and never wants a customer to feel obligated to allow workmen to use their bathroom. Employees and subcontractors are instructed to use a port-a-potty that is delivered to the job site.

If possible, Leading Edge Homes, Inc. builds a temporary shroud around the port-a-potty in an attempt to make it less unsightly for your neighbors.

Before you hire a contractor you might want to ask what are their employees instructed to do in the event that they need to use the bathroom. Furthermore, if the job will take more than a week, does the contractor provide a port-a-potty? If he is unwilling to spend about $100 a month for your safety and privacy, what other corners will he cut?

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

Common Mistakes 3 – NOT VERIFYING INFORMATION

Home Improvement Contractors Provide References

When hiring a remodeling / home improvement contractor, it is common practice to ask for references. In my experience, almost everyone asks me to provide references before they hire Leading Edge Homes, Inc.

Most People Don’t Call References before they Hire A Home Improvement Contractor

Call at least three of the references you’re given.

You can never learn too much about the company you are considering using. Take a few minutes to talk to these people. It will be worth it!

Ask if the job was done to their satisfaction and at the agreed upon price. Ask if the contractor was easy to communicate with and deal with.

Call the references and see example work. You can learn a lot by seeing the finished product. If the contractor is good, many previous clients are extremely proud of their “new” home and will be glad to let you look.

Also… VERIFY A Contractor’s Insurance

Anyone can say they are insured. Insist the contractor prove it by having their insurance company FAX or mail to you a certificate of insurance with you as the certificate holder.

The most important advice I can give you is:

TRUSTthat you have chosen the right home remodeling professional to complete your home improvement project but VERIFY that what he has told you is true.

IT WILL BE LESS EXPENSIVE TO DO THE WORK YOURSELF — REALLY?

One of the most common misconceptions about home remodeling is that it will be less expensive to do the work yourself or act as your own general contractor.

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE DOING A DIY HOME REMODELING PROJECT

There are many things to consider before beginning a home remodeling project on your own.

SUBCONTRACTOR LICENSE VERIFICATION

First, you need to verify that every subcontractor or tradesmen you hire has the correct license and carries insurance. If a person does not have Worker’s Compensation Insurance, or an exemption, then you are liable for their lost wages and medical bills if they get hurt while working on your home.

WHAT IF THE TRADESMEN DAMAGE YOUR HOME?

What happens if one of the tradesmen damages your home? Your homeowner’s policy will not cover the damage caused by them. A general contractor carries both general liability and builder’s risk insurance policies to protect you.

PERMITS… PERMITS… PERMITS

Although you can typically pull a building permit for your job if you live in a single family home, will the subcontractors you hire be able to pull their permits? If you live in a multi-family dwelling, you will not be able to pull your own building permit.

Failure to pull a permit can cost you three times the original cost of a permit if the building department catches you.

If you decide to pull your own building permit, you will have to schedule your inspections, may need to take time off from work to meet with building inspectors, and you will have to take responsibility for all the work performed on your home.

WILL YOU BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTIONS? – TAKE A VACATION DAY

You may have to rely on the electrician, plumber, mechanical contractor, and roofer to pull their own permits and schedule their own inspections. You still may have to take time off from work to make your house available to them and their building inspectors.

How much is your time worth? When you schedule subcontractors and inspectors to come to your home you must ensure access to your house

BUILDING CODES… HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW?

Do you know the latest building codes? If you do not build to the current codes or hire subcontractors who do not build to the current Florida Building Codes, you could end up wasting money having to redo work.

PRICING… YOU WILL PAY RETAIL FOR YOUR SUBCONTRACTORS

You may think you are saving money by contracting with trades directly, but they have multiple sets of prices. One for contractors they work with all year long, one for the occasional contractor, and one for the public. The public pays the highest price.

WHICH COMES FIRST… THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG?

It is critical to know the order in which subcontractors need to perform their work. If you get the order wrong, you may need to remove a subcontractor’s work. This will not only cost time, but money as well.

These are just a few of the potential issues that you may run into if you decide to act as your own general contractor. Before following this path, consider the risks, the time you may waste, the monetary losses you could face, and the added stress of completing your home remodeling project.

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

FAIRY TALE DREAMS: HOME MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR ISSUES

A friend recently wanted to purchase a home and fell in love with it because of it’s old world charm. But… they were looking at the house with fairy tale dreams.

As seen on http://www.gocomics.com/wumo/2015/09/24

GET YOUR HOME INSPECTED BEFORE YOUR BUY

BEFORE you purchase a home… get it inspected by a reputable home inspection company or a general contractor like Leading Edge Homes, Inc. Your inspector should check the electrical, plumbing, roofing, appliances, foundation, and more. You may not notice if the house is sinking, has mold, or if it has illegal wiring. The money you spend on doing an inspection will save you costs and heartache in the future.

If you have questions about a home you are purchasing or have questions about a home improvement project, callLeading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more! In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 orvisit their website todiscover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.

Water Stains on the Ceiling and In the Attic

If you live in South Florida, every day seems like a rainy day and the afternoon storms are quite strong. If you are noticing stains on your ceilings or leaks in your attic, it may be a result of broken or packed gutters or cracks in your roof or flashing.

Gutter Maintenance

Inspect and clean your gutters and make sure they are free of debris. Also, make sure your gutter connections are sound and the downspouts are clear.

Roof Tiles Cracked / Discolored or Broken Shingles

If you notice your roofing tiles are broken, cracked or missing, it is a sign that they need to be replaced. Walking on your roof, if you are not careful, can also cause tiles to crack and damage your roof.

Use a Camera From the Ground to Inspect Your Roof

To check your roof – without using a ladder and walking on your roof, zoom in with a camera to inspect from the ground. Gutter cleaning and repairs require that you use a ladder. If you are ladder-shy contact Leading Edge Homes, Inc. and we will assist you with this project.

When to Call a Professional – Like Leading Edge Homes, Inc.

If you have water-stained drywall – do not replace it yourself. You may need mold remediation. Let a professional assess the situation so you don’t risk spreading mold spores into your home.

Also, the safety risk isn’t worth it for repairing or replacing anything on the roof. Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a state licensed roofing contractor!

If you are ladder-shy or don’t own a ladder, contact a professional for your gutter cleaning and repairs. Safety first!

If you have specific questions about any home improvement project, please call me at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more! In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 orvisit their website todiscover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.